University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Rhenz Abando was offered a lot when attempts to pirate him started before the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament started.
An inquirer.net report said that assistant coaches of a school would constantly talk to Abando and offered him more than P3 million cash, housing, a van, and “other opportunities.”
The report said one of the UAAP schools situated in University Belt area in Manila tried to recruit Abando in late 2018 while he was serving a one-year residency after transferring from Philippine College of Science and Technology in Pangasinan.
Abando reportedly told UST head coach Aldin Ayo and the Tigers’ coaching staff about the persistent piracy attempts.
Abando was advised that he can turn down the offer but in a polite way.
The piracy attempts continued that forced UST to bench Abando in their game against University of the Philippines last Wednesday.
The Inquirer.net report added that according to a source, Abando had asked permission from team officials that he wanted to transfer to another UAAP school before having a change of heart as he committed to stay with UST after meeting with Ayo and UST Institute of Physical Education director Fr. Jannel Abogado. (PHOTO CREDIT: PHILSTAR.COM)
